Brexit Bitter Feelings Linger in Europe, but Public Opinion Shifts

In some European circles, there remains a strong desire to punish the United Kingdom for leaving the European Union, with the aim of setting an example for other countries. Many European politicians characterize Brexit as a "bad divorce" that has left a bitter aftertaste. They harbor resentment towards Britons who, they feel, saw the EU merely as a market rather than a political community. Given the multitude of other crises facing Europe, these politicians believe that Brexit has already consumed too much attention and are unwilling to again entrust their fate to the unpredictable British voters. Nonetheless, public opinion on both sides of the Channel has shifted considerably. This change indicates that the acrimony of the past is fading, and there is a growing recognition that the relationship must move forward.